Excavator Bucket With an Internally Deployable Breaker

ABSTRACT

An excavating machine, representatively a skid steer, has a pair of loader arms to which an excavating bucket is mounted. A hydraulic breaker assembly is protectively mounted inside the bucket and movable to extend outward therefrom. The bucket may be operated independently of the breaker assembly for digging operations. The breaker assembly may be positioned independently of the bucket and the breaker actuated for removing refusal material. The bucket and the breaker may then be cooperatively operated to perform removal operations. The same excavating machine can be used for digging and breaking operations without the need for a second excavating machine or device dedicated to breaking the refusal material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to a material handling apparatus and, in an embodiment thereof, more particularly relates to an excavating apparatus, such as a skid steer, having lift arms connected to a specially designed bucket having a deployable breaker assembly internally mounted within the bucket, which uniquely permits the skid steer operator to selectively carry out both digging and breaking refusal material operations without having to change out equipment on the stick. The device is also applicable for use with other front loader machines.

Description of Related Art

Small scale earth excavation operations are typically performed using a powered excavating apparatus, such as a front loader or a skid steer, having a pair of lift arms connected to a hydraulically pivotal bucket or other excavating tool. The operator can use the bucket to forcibly dig into the ground, scoop up a quantity of dirt, and move the scooped up dirt quantity to another location.

A first common occurrence during conventional digging operations is that the bucket strikes refusal material (in excavation parlance, a material which “refuses” to be dug up) such as rock which simply cannot be broken and scooped up by the bucket, such as encountered in road work and driveway replacements.

A previously utilized alternative to this single skid steer sequence is to provide two excavators for each digging project—one excavator having a bucket attached, and the second excavator having a breaker attached. When the bucket-equipped excavator encounters refusal material during the digging process, it is moved away from the digging site, and the operator climbs down from the bucket-equipped excavator, walks over to and climbs up into the breaker-equipped excavator, drives the breaker-equipped excavator to the digging site, and breaks up the encountered refusal material. Reversing the process, the operator then switches to the bucket-equipped excavator and resumes the digging process to scoop up the now broken-up refusal material.

While this digging/breaking technique is easier on the operator, it is necessary to dedicate two large and costly excavators to a given digging task, thereby substantially increasing the total cost of a given excavation. A modification of this technique is to use two operators—one to operate the bucket-equipped excavator, and one to operate the breaker-equipped excavator. This, of course, undesirably increases both the manpower and equipment cost for a given excavation project.

An alternative to a second excavating machine is to employ the use of a man-operated jackhammer. In either case, progressing through the refusal material requires a second operator to maintain efficiency of the operation. This increases the cost of the operation by requiring a second operator and rental of a second excavating machine or pneumatic hammer. If a second operator is not used, then the operation requires the single operator to be proficient in the operation of both pieces of equipment. This procedure further requires that the operator safely stop the skid steer and exit the vehicle, move to the second vehicle or jack hammer, and begin its use. This procedure is predictably slow and exhausting for the operator.

This problem also arises during the operation of backhoe excavating machines. Recently, a commercially successful solution to at least part of this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,849, U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,896, U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,618 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,257,910 (collectively, “the '849 patent family”). The '849 patent family discloses the Bayonet® Breaker System which provides an excavating machine known as a back-hoe with a specially designed pivotal boom stick assembly that includes a boom stick having first and second excavating tools secured thereto for movement relative to the boom stick. The first excavating tool is an excavating bucket secured to the boom stick for pivotal movement relative thereto between a first position and a second position, and the second tool is a breaker secured to the boom stick for pivotal movement relative thereto between a stowed position and an operative position.

As described in the '849 patent family, the bucket is operable when the breaker is in its stowed position. The bucket is movable by the drive apparatus independent of the breaker, to perform a digging operation. The breaker is operable when the bucket is in a first “stowed” position, which is away from the deployed position of the breaker to prevent contact and interference. The breaker is movable by the drive apparatus independent of the bucket, to perform a breaking operation. Accordingly, the excavating machine may be advantageously utilized to perform both digging and breaking operations without equipment change-out on the boom stick.

However, this solution is inapplicable to front loaders and skid steers that lack a boom stick for storage and deployment of the hammer without interfering with the operation of the bucket. Front loaders and particularly skid steers have a pair of lifting arms pivotally connected to a position behind the operator, and raise the bucket close to the operator's cabin. As a result, the operation of the skid steer is very different than that of a backhoe, and it lacks the flexibility in the movement of the arms that the boom stick on a backhoe enjoys, and is more suited for smaller jobs and operations in confined space.

The present invention is contrary to conventional design principals of the prior art, in which the volume of the bucket is maximized. Availability of the full volume of the bucket is necessary to maximize the carrying capacity of the bucket and thus reduce the time on the job. However, this long-held belief ignores the significant loss of time that occurs when the bucket encounters refusal material. When the surface rock is hard, the full capacity of the bucket is no longer the project time controlling constraint. Breaking the refusal material is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In carrying out principles of the present invention, in accordance with one embodiment thereof, an excavating machine, representatively a skid steer, is provided with a pair of pivotal loader arms with a specially designed bucket having a deployable hammer located interior to the bucket, beneath a shield, and deployed through a portal passage in the base of the bucket. The loader arms position both the bucket and the deployed hammer above the refusal material, whereupon the hammer is actuated. When the refusal material has been fragmented, the hammer is retracted into the stowed position within the bucket. The bucket is then used to scoop and remove the fragmented material, thereby exposing virgin surface for digging or hammering.

Accordingly, the excavating machine may be advantageously utilized to perform digging and breaking operations without equipment change of the bucket or use of a jackhammer or other secondary excavating machine.

In one embodiment, a bucket-breaker assembly is disclosed for use on an excavating machine. A bucket is pivotally connected to the ends of the loader arms of the excavating machine, and is pivotally movable on a first axis relative to the loader arms. The bucket has an interior and an exterior. A breaker assembly is pivotally connected to the bucket, and is movable between a retracted position substantially internal to the bucket, and a deployed position substantially external of the bucket.

In another embodiment of the bucket-breaker assembly, a bucket is pivotally connected to the ends of the loader arms of the excavating machine, and is pivotally movable on a first axis relative to the loader arms along a first axis. The bucket has an interior and an exterior. A breaker assembly is pivotally connected to the bucket, and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the movement of the breaker assembly being along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis defining the movement of the bucket relative to the loader arms. The breaker assembly is actuated from the deployed position to operate the hammer.

In another embodiment of the bucket-breaker assembly, a bucket is pivotally connected to the ends of the loader arms of the excavating machine, and is pivotally movable on a first axis relative to the loader arms. The bucket has an interior and an exterior. A passage is formed on the bucket, and extends between the interior and exterior of the bucket. A breaker assembly is pivotally connected at a breaker pivot located on the interior of the bucket. The breaker assembly is pivotally movable between a retracted position substantially internal of the bucket and a deployed position through the passage formed in the bucket.

In another embodiment, the bucket-breaker assembly further includes a latch attached to the interior of the bucket. The latch is operable to secure the breaker assembly in the retracted position inside the bucket.

In another embodiment, the bucket-breaker assembly further includes a shield mounted to the interior of the bucket. In another embodiment, the shield substantially covers the breaker assembly when the breaker assembly is in the retracted position. In another embodiment, the shield substantially covers the passage between the bucket interior and the bucket exterior.

In another embodiment, the bucket-breaker assembly further includes a flange mounted to the interior of the bucket. The breaker pivot connection is attached to the flange. A shield substantially covers the passage between the bucket interior and the bucket exterior.

In another embodiment, the bucket-breaker assembly further includes a portal located on the shield. The portal is accessible from the interior of the bucket to permit adjustments to the breaker assembly. In another embodiment, the excavating machine is a skid steer.

The advantage of the disclosed embodiments is that they provide additional and critical utility to a single excavating machine. Specifically, the excavator operator may uniquely and selectively carry out multiple operations, including digging and breaking of refusal material without having to change out equipment on the skid steer, and without the need for a second excavating machine or independently operated jack hammer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified, side view of a representative excavating machine conventionally known as a skid steer, having a bucket and breaker combination, illustrating the breaker in the stowed position.

FIG. 2 is a view of the excavating machine of FIG. 1, illustrating the breaker assembly deployed and extending through the bottom of the bucket.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the bucket of the excavating machine of FIG. 1, illustrated with the breaker assembly in the stowed position inside the bucket.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the bucket, with the breaker assembly in the stowed position inside the bucket, illustrated with the breaker shield removed.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bucket, illustrated with the breaker assembly in the deployed position and extended beneath the bucket.

FIG. 6 is front view of the bucket, with the breaker assembly in the deployed position, illustrated with the breaker shield removed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bucket, illustrated with the breaker assembly in the stowed position and covered by the breaker shield.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the breaker assembly, illustrated in the stowed position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the shield.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the breaker assembly, illustrated in the stowed position.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the breaker assembly, illustrated in the stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake of clarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views.

FIG. 1 is a simplified, side view of a representative excavating machine 1, which is a skid steer. Excavating machine 1 has a body 2 and a pair of loader arms 4 pivotally connected to body 2. The loader arms are controllable by the operator of excavating machine 1.

A bucket-breaker combination 10 is pivotally connected to the ends of loader arms 4 at pivot connections 14. Bucket-breaker combination 10 includes a bucket 12, and a breaker assembly 40 affixed inside bucket 12. In this FIG. 1, breaker assembly 40 is in a stowed position, not visible. Bucket 12 is pivotally connected to loader arms 4, and rotatable along an arc A in a first plane substantially parallel to the plane of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a side view of excavating machine 1 of FIG. 1, illustrating breaker assembly 40 of bucket-breaker combination 10 in a deployed position and extending through a passage 16 on a bottom 18 (see FIG. 7) portion of bucket 12. Breaker assembly 40 has a pivotal connection 42 (see FIG. 4) located inside bucket 12. Breaker assembly 40 rotates a hammer 50 between a stowed position substantially interior to bucket 12 and a deployed position in which the hammer 50 is extending through passage 16 on bottom 18 of bucket 12. Breaker assembly 40 is rotatable along an arc B in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

In the deployed position, hammer 50 is hydraulically operable to engage and fragment refuse material so that it may be removed using the bucket 12 with the breaker assembly 40 in the stored position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of bucket-breaker combination 10 of excavating machine 1 of FIG. 1, illustrated with breaker assembly 40 in the stowed position inside bucket 12. FIG. 4 is a front view of bucket-breaker combination 10 of excavating machine 1, with breaker assembly 40 in the stowed position inside bucket 12. For visibility, in this view there is no shield covering breaker assembly 40. Bucket 12 has a bottom portion 18 (see FIG. 7). A passage 16 is formed on bottom portion 18 to permit the passage of breaker assembly 40 when it is rotated into the deployed position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of bucket-breaker combination 10 of excavating machine 1, illustrated with breaker assembly 40 in the deployed position, extending a hammer 50 component of breaker assembly 40 through passage 16 and beneath bucket 12. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, bucket 12 rotates along arc A in a first plane. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, breaker assembly 40 rotates along arc B in a second plane that is perpendicular to arc A and the rotation of bucket 12.

FIG. 6 is a front view of bucket-breaker combination 10 of excavating machine 1, illustrated with breaker assembly 40 in the deployed position, extending a hammer 50 component of breaker assembly 40 through passage 16 and beneath bucket 12. FIG. 6 is illustrated with no breaker shield for visibility.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of bucket-breaker combination 10 of excavating machine 1, illustrated with breaker assembly 40 in the stowed position, and covered by a breaker shield 60. In the embodiment shown, shield 60 is attached to the interior of bucket 12 by fasteners. In this embodiment, fasteners secure shield 60 to the bottom 18 and to a rear portion 20 of the interior of bucket 12. Also in the embodiment illustrated, shield 60 has an access door 62 to permit any necessary adjustments to breaker assembly 40.

FIG. 8 is a side view of breaker assembly 40, illustrated in the stowed position. Breaker assembly 40 has a frame 44. Pivot connection 42 extends above frame 44. A bracket 48 secures hammer 50 in place in breaker assembly 40. Bracket 48 may comprise a pair of sides and fasteners for securing hammer 50 in breaker assembly 40. Bracket 48 is rotatably connected at pivot connection 42. A latch mechanism 54 is optionally affixed to frame 44 for holding breaker assembly 40 in the retracted position when desired.

FIG. 9 is a side view of shield 60. In the embodiment illustrated, shield 60 has a flange 64 circumscribing its perimeter for attachment to bottom 18 and rear 20 of the interior of bucket 12. A person of ordinary skill will recognize that flange 64 may be connected to the interior of bucket 12 by welding, threaded fasteners, or other known methods. As shown, shield 60 illustrates an irregular volume which closely aligns with breaker assembly 40. This is necessary to minimize the reduction in the capacity of bucket 12.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of breaker assembly 40, illustrated in the stowed position. As seen in this view, frame 44 has a frame passage 46 for the passage of hammer 50 and bracket 48 when breaker assembly 40 is rotated from the stowed position to the deployed position. Frame passage 46 is aligned with passage 16 when breaker assembly 40 is installed in bucket 12. As also seen in FIG. 8, pivot connection 42 extends above frame 44. Bracket 48 secures hammer 50 in place in breaker assembly 40. Bracket 48 is rotatably connected at pivot connection 42. A latch mechanism 54 is optionally affixed to frame 44 for holding breaker assembly 40 in the retracted position when desired.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of breaker assembly 40, illustrated in the stowed position. As best seen in this view, frame passage 46 is contoured to closely receive hammer 50 and bracket 48 and their collective fasteners when breaker assembly 40 is rotated from the stowed position to the deployed position.

In one embodiment, bucket-breaker assembly 40 is disclosed for use on excavating machine 1. Bucket 12 is pivotally connected to a lower end of loader arms 4 of excavating machine 1, and is pivotally movable on a first axis A relative to loader arms 4. Bucket 12 has an interior and an exterior. Breaker assembly 40 is pivotally connected to bucket 12, and is movable between a retracted position substantially internal to bucket 12 and a deployed position substantially external of bucket 12.

In another embodiment of the bucket-breaker assembly 40, a bucket 12 is pivotally connected to a lower end of loader arms 4 of an excavating machine 1, and is pivotally movable along a first axis relative to the loader arms 4. Bucket 12 has an interior and an exterior. A breaker assembly 40 is pivotally connected to bucket 12, and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, with the movement of the breaker assembly 40 being along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis defining the movement of bucket 12 relative to loader arms 4. Breaker assembly 40 is actuated from the deployed position to operate a hammer 50.

In another embodiment of the bucket-breaker assembly 40, a bucket 12 is pivotally connected to a lower end of loader arms 4 of an excavating machine 1, and pivotally movable on a first axis relative to the loader arms 4. Bucket 12 has an interior and an exterior. A passage 16 is formed on the bucket 12, and extends between the interior and exterior of the bucket 12. A breaker assembly 40 is pivotally connected at a breaker pivot 42 located on the interior of the bucket 12. Breaker assembly 40 is pivotally movable between a retracted position substantially internal of bucket 12 and a deployed position through the passage 16 formed in the bucket 12.

In another embodiment, the bucket-breaker assembly 40 further includes a latch 54 attached to the interior of the bucket 12. Latch 54 is operable to secure the breaker assembly 40 in the retracted position inside the bucket 12.

In another embodiment, the bucket-breaker assembly 40 further includes a shield 60 mounted to the interior of the bucket 12. In another embodiment, shield 60 substantially covers the breaker assembly 40 when the breaker assembly is in the retracted position. In another embodiment, shield 60 substantially covers the passage 16 between the bucket interior and the bucket exterior.

In another embodiment, the bucket-breaker assembly 40 further includes a flange 64 mounted to the interior of the bucket 12. The breaker pivot connection 42 is attached to the flange 64. A shield 60 substantially covers the passage 16 between the bucket interior and the bucket exterior.

In another embodiment, the bucket-breaker assembly 40 further includes a portal 62 located on the shield 60. Portal 62 is accessible from the interior of the bucket 12 to permit adjustments to the breaker assembly 40. In another embodiment, not illustrated, the excavating machine 1 is a skid steer.

Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered obvious and desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention. 

1. A bucket-breaker assembly for use on an excavating machine, comprising: a bucket pivotally connected to a pair of loader arms of an excavating machine; the bucket having an interior and an exterior; and, a breaker assembly pivotally movable between a retracted position internal to the bucket and a deployed position partially external of the bucket.
 2. A bucket-breaker assembly for use on an excavating machine, comprising: a bucket pivotally connected to a pair of loader arms of an excavating machine; the bucket having an interior and an exterior; and, a breaker assembly pivotally movable between a retracted position inside of the bucket and a deployed position that extends beneath the bucket.
 3. A bucket-breaker assembly for use on an excavating machine, comprising: a bucket pivotally connected to a pair of loader arms of an excavating machine, and pivotal about a first axis; the bucket having an interior and an exterior; and, a breaker assembly pivotally connected to the bucket, and pivotal about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.
 4. A bucket-breaker assembly for use on an excavating machine, comprising: a bucket pivotally connected to a pair of loader arms of an excavating machine; the bucket having an interior and an exterior; a passage extending between the interior and exterior of the bucket; a breaker assembly pivotally connected at a breaker pivot located on the interior of the bucket; and, the breaker assembly pivotally movable between a retracted position internal to the bucket and a deployed position extending through the passage.
 5. The bucket-breaker assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a latch attached to the interior of the bucket; the latch operable to secure the breaker assembly in the retracted position.
 6. The bucket-breaker assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a shield mounted to the interior of the bucket; the shield substantially covering the breaker assembly when the breaker assembly is in the retracted position.
 7. The bucket-breaker assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a shield mounted to the interior of the bucket; the shield substantially covering the passage between the bucket interior and the bucket exterior.
 8. The bucket-breaker assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a flange mounted to the interior of the bucket; a breaker pivot connection attached to the flange; and, a shield substantially covering the passage between the bucket interior and the bucket exterior.
 9. The bucket-breaker assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a portal located on the shield; the portal accessible from the interior of the bucket to permit adjustments to the breaker assembly.
 10. The bucket-breaker assembly of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the excavating machine is a skid steer. 